Perspectives

Discussion in 'General Philosophy' started by wegs, Mar 19, 2020.

  1. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    The definition of the word "perspective," is a particular attitude or point of view, towards someone or something.

    With this recent pandemic, I can't help but wonder if everything really hinges on perspective, in terms of our quality of life. For example, I've found myself feeling a range of emotions over the past two weeks - disbelief, fear and stress to now...calmness. I'm choosing peace right now, and not allowing the worldwide panic to restrict me from enjoying what is most important in my life. I've always enjoyed nature, but now...even more so. I'm discovering a new side of myself...a braver side. My faith has helped me of course, and I'm not going to live in fear. This is a serious situation, people are dying and we need to take the medical warnings and precautions with great care, but that doesn't mean we need to stop living.

    I've talked with quite a few of my coworkers now, who are absolutely petrified and downright enraged about their 401k's plummeting during the past couple of weeks. But, life is more than money. Way more. I hope that they learn this lesson, and sometimes ...it takes extraordinary occurences to really change people. It's horribly unfortunate that all of this is happening, but we can learn about ourselves, through it. In spite of it.

    We're all sharing this boat, and I'm curious as to how you're handling this pandemic right now, and what have you learned about yourself that is worth changing or keeping?

    Look forward to a positive discussion on this.

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    *Note, this isn't a thread about COVID19, there are other threads to discuss the specifics about the pandemic, itself. But, this thread is more about how such an occurence, can shape our lives, and what are we discovering about ourselves through this?
     
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  3. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    You have three of the five stages of grief there.
    You only have anger and bargaining to go through.
     
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  5. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    I’m not grieving for myself, I feel terrible for all who have died and their loved ones.

    Has this changed you or your perspective at all?
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2020
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  7. paddoboy Valued Senior Member

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    I'm as happy as Larry, and as concerned about this coronavirus shit as I am about walking out the front door and being run over by a bus. Although at this time having just come back from the shops and seen the amount of f^%$#@& ratbags still out panic buying etc, I am self-isolating for 12 hours...me, my six pack VB, a nine pack of easter buns, some Nana Mouskouri cd's, Elvis cd's, Andre Rieu videos, oh, and a roll of toilet paper!!!
     
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  8. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    perspective matters
    If I am looking for something, and I walk from west to east, and do not find it, then walk from east to west still looking for the same thing, it becomes obvious.

    People still want to shake hands
    so i do so
    and then i wash mine

    aside from that
    Nothing has changed

    ...............
    That being said, I am looking for stock buying opportunities
    after sitting on 40-50% cash-----now 70% cash with no action on my part
    I plan to be fully invested within a month - 6 weeks.
    ......................
    this too shall pass
    .............................
    old joke about the cannibal who passed his brother in law in the forest.
     
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  9. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Lol I’m glad that you’re in such good spirits. I’m doing pretty well too but like I said, I had a mixture of emotions when I first learned about the progress of CV. What are Easter buns? Sounds yum.
     
  10. paddoboy Valued Senior Member

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    27,543

    Also called "Hot Cross Buns" I always put on some extra kilos just before Easter when the stores and bakeries start distributing these yummy little things...cut in half, a dash of butter, and then some of your favourite jam!! Bloody beautiful!!!
     
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  11. paddoboy Valued Senior Member

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    Let me say that yes, I'm and my family is taking certain precautions, mainly with increased hygiene etc.
    But I have this nagging feeling that this is somewhat being over-played? I could be wrong though but history will tell.
    My former employer QANTAS airline has just laid off 2/3 of their staff...not good.
    But still....Me and 4 or 5 of some old school mates are having some drinks and lunch next Wednesday, unless something drastic happens between now and then.
    OK, seeya, back to the VB and some Elvis and Nana!!!

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  12. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, how you react to life (whether it's a virus or any other change) is a matter of perspective.

    If you live in the moment and accept what is and deal with that instead of worrying about what might be, it's a matter of perspective.

    For me, the days are long, the weather is better, the stock market is uncertain, it's annoying for certain items to be in short supply (due to hoarding) and for certain stores to be closed and for NBA to be currently unavailable, etc. That's the current situation though so it's best to just adapt/adjust to it rather than wishing things were different.

    I don't really watch the news programs because it's all the same and not particularly interesting. If something changes and there is a need to watch it, I will.

    It's not helpful to just watch programs of people panicking. Around me, I don't see people I know getting sick. The grocery stores are stocked with a few exceptions.

    I just wash my hands more, make sure I get some exercise every day to stay active/healthy and that's about it.
     
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  13. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Agree, and well said. The economic disruption for some can be unsettling but I find that it’s best to stay positive even when the sky seems to be falling down.
     
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  14. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Ahhh, gotcha. Hot cross buns are so good! Do Australians celebrate Easter with egg hunts and such?
     
  15. paddoboy Valued Senior Member

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    Yeah certainly...Speaking of Easter eggs, the Mrs bought a couple for the neighbours kids, and stuck them in the fridge.
    I decided to have one so now I'm in the bad books...but like the good christian she is, she'll forgive me before long.

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  16. Xelasnave.1947 Valued Senior Member

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    I think if you were trading now it would be hard to go wrong.

    I have been buying and selling with a pretend $100,000 just one stock, Commonwealth Bank what I would call a blue chip, and I am a pretend $11000 ahead. And it dawned on me you could hardly go wrong given the current price is around $60 and it was at $90 such a short time ago. The current situation sees huge swings that usually just are not there. Depends what you expect in return but I would certainly be happy if my three days pretending was real.
    I need to find a way to buy and sell without a broker..I can not put up $100000 but maybe $10000 ??? Maybe less...if $10000 that would be $1,100 over three days.
    And the good thing is with a blue chip it must come back at some stage.
    However as a friend said " it's just fancy gambling".
    Tis an ill wind that blows no good at all.
    Good for you and very decent sharing your positive experience.

    I have a mechanism to stay brave positive and above all hopeful.

    When times get tuff and it seems like everything is going wrong..I just imagine I am the hero in a movie that has been bashed and left for dead in an ally..dragging myself out, no money, torn blood soiled clothes and injuries that will take time to get over...and somehow it always works out for the movie hero as things can only get better...things always get better. And you must appreciate what you have..my legs are not flash but at least I don't need a wheel chair full time..and if I did I would be happy I have working arms and not blind...
    Stay positive and brave.
    Alex
     
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  17. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Lonely, until you find someone who's version matches yours. Then you have found your empathic soul-mate.
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2020
  18. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    There are many reputable companies that allow you to trade online. Your bank may even have a department for it. I use a well-known plc in the UK - they charge c.GBP12 each trade (and a further 1.5% should the stock be in a foreign currency) but otherwise you can pretty much do what you want. The charges go down the more frequently you trade each month. They will probably require you to go through some questionnaire to make sure you know what you're doing, but I've found it very straightforward: see stock I want, buy stock I want, wait for price to go up, sell stock before it drops... rinse and repeat.

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  19. Xelasnave.1947 Valued Senior Member

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    Thanks I appreciate you taking your time to help me.
    Alex
     
  20. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Your thoughts are inspiring, today. We all need a little inspiration now and again.

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    I think the biggest problem with this virus is the economic upheaval it's causing, and many are and will lose their jobs. My firm is discussing lay offs because we rely on billable clients. But, it's how we choose to see these times, that matters. It's weird, but I've been wanting a break although, I didn't want it to come in the form of a pandemic! lol I hope that you stay safe, and continue to inspire others, you.
     
  21. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    A different perspective:
    My son, who is a science teacher, married a kichwa(native american) woman who he met while in the peace corps in the oriente of Ecuador.
    She, and their 2 daughters. went to Ecuador (Tena) to visit with her family.
    Now, she/they cannot fly back to Iowa, and my son cannot fly to Ecuador to be with them.
    wow
    How quickly the global community can fragment......................wow
    I suffer a bit of anxiety concerning my grandchildren and their welfare, but am reasonably certain that this is almost nothing as compared to my son's anxiety over this situation.
    ...........................................................................
    alternately
    Looking back to the military actions of previous presidents:
    It seems that most presidents want, to one extent or another, to be seen as wartime presidents.
    Curiously, without starting any new military conflicts, Trump may be seen as one of the greatest wartime presidents, and that with the smallest of enemies(a virus).
     
  22. paddoboy Valued Senior Member

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    On face value it does appear that way, as does the leaders of the UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, France etc. But in reality all they are doing is implementing advice from scientists, medical professionals, and of course attempts to avoid and/or lessen recessions as desired.Western style governments benefit from natural disasters mostly, by simply doing what is expected from them.
     
  23. Capracus Valued Senior Member

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    By who? And why?
     
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